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Muhammad Bakr said: "THE OWNER OF THIS TASK [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL HAVE A RESEMBLENCE TO JOSEPH (AS)].”(Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani p. 189) (“The owner of this task” means he who possesses the guardianship. All our imams have guardianship. In addition, the guardianship in the relevant hadiths lies solely with Hazrat Mahdi (as).

Abu Bashir says: I heard Imam Muhammad Bakr say: “HE WHO POSSESSES THIS OCCULTATION [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL HAVE THE SUNNAH OF FOUR PROPHETS…” I SAID: WHAT IS THE SUNNAH OF JOSEPH (AS)? AND HE SAID: IMPRISONMENT AND OCCULTATION. (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 191)

THEN IT IS CERTAIN THAT HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) RESEMBLES THE PROPHET JOSEPH (AS) AND THAT HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL SEE PEOPLE BUT PEOPLE WILL NOT SEE HIM [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] and that as Hazrat Ali (ra) states, HE [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL NOT BE SEEN UNTIL A VOICE CALLS FROM THE SKY. (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani p. 167)

The hadiths of our Prophet (saas) say that there are many similarities between the life of the Prophet Joseph (as) as described in the story of Joseph in the Qur’an and the life of Hazrat Mahdi (as). Looking at the verses of the Qur’an in the light of this information provided by our Prophet (saas), they contain many events in agreement with the hadiths concerning Hazrat Mahdi (as). (Allah knows the truth.)

The Prophet Joseph (as) Is the Mahdi of His Own Time

Allah reveals in the Qur’an that He sends “a Messenger leading to faith” in every age. Since all the prophets have been sent as guides to faith, as instrumental in salvation, then every prophet is a Mahdi. "The Prophet Joseph (as) is the Mahdi of his own time.” In that respect, too, there is a great resemblance between the life of Hazrat Mahdi (as) who will appear in the End Times and that of the Prophet Joseph (as).

Like the Prophet Joseph (as), Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Also Possess Special Knowledge and Wisdom from the Presence of Allah

Allah reveals in the Qur’an that the Prophet Joseph (as) was also given special knowledge and wisdom from the Presence of Allah:

" Accordingly your Lord will pick you out and teach you the true meaning of events and perfectly fulfil His blessing on you..." (Surah Yusuf, 6)

"... And thus We established Joseph in the land to teach him the true meaning of events..." (Surah Yusuf, 21)

" When Joseph attained His full manhood, We gave him power and knowledge: thus do We reward those who do right." (Surah Yusuf, 22)

It appears from this information in the Qur’an about the Prophet Joseph (as) that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will well know the meaning of words, and will possess special knowledge and wisdom. It is reported in the hadiths that Hazrat Mahdi (as) like the Prophet Joseph (as) will have a special power bestowed on him by Allah:

He is called the Mahdi, for he is the holder of a secret power nobody is able to know.(Al-Barzanji, Al-Isha'ah li-ashrat al-sa'ah, p. 77)

Muhyiddin Arabi, one of the great Islamic scholars, has set out in his works nine of the main noteworthy characteristics of the Mahdi:

1. He has foresight
2. He understands the Holy Book
3. He knows the meaning of the verses
4. He knows the condition and actions of the people he will appoint
5. He remains compassionate and just even when angered
6. He knows the classes of entities
7. He knows the hidden sides of matters
8. He has a good understanding of people’s needs
9. He knows the secret knowledge particularly needed in his own time.

Like the Prophet Joseph (as), Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Be Unrecognized in the Society in Which He Lives Until A Specific Time Arrives

But Hujjat [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will recognize the people. But people don’t recognize him. Just like the Prophet Joseph (as)]. Although Joseph (as) recognized the people, they denied him. Then Hazrat Ali (ra) read this verse, “Shame on the servants, they mocked the Messenger when he came.”(Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 162)

Although people in the society in which he lives will clearly see Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) superior attributes and the good works he performs, Hazrat Mahdi (as) and his community will not be fully identified. There is a close resemblance between this characteristic of Hazrat Mahdi (as) and the life of the Prophet Joseph (as). Verse 58 of Surah Yusuf, "(When the drought began) The brothers of Joseph came into his presence, and he knew them THOUGH THEY DID NOT KNOW HIM” reveals that his brothers did not recognize the Prophet Joseph (as), although he recognized them. According to the indications in the hadiths, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be like the Prophet Joseph (as) in that people will see him, but will not at first recognize him.

Like the Prophet Joseph (as), Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Appear When All Hope of Him Is Lost

They said, ‘Are you Joseph?’ He said, ‘I am indeed Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has acted graciously to us. As for those who fear Allah and are steadfast, Allah does not allow to go to waste the wage of any people who do good.’ (Surah Yusuf, 90)

The Prophet Joseph’s (as) brothers set a trap for him and cast him into a well. They told their father that a wolf had eaten him and showed him his shirt that had been falsely smeared with blood. His father realized that this was a trick, but neither his father nor his brothers heard anything of the Prophet Joseph (as) for many years. Later, and at a time they never expected, Allah produced the Prophet Joseph (as) before them as lord of “power and dominion” in charge of the Egyptian Treasury:

He (Joseph) said, ‘Entrust the country's stores to me. In truth I am a good keeper and knowing well.’ (Surah Yusuf, 55)

And thus We established Joseph in the land so he could live in any place he pleased. We grant Our grace to anyone We will and We do not allow to go to waste the wage of any people who do good. (Surah Yusuf, 56)

These verses indicate that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will appear when all hope of his coming has vanished and when people claim there is no such person as the “Mahdi.” Again according to the signs in the verses, Allah will produce Hazrat Mahdi (as) as “having power and dominion and as the spiritual leader of all believers.” This is also decribed thus in the hadiths of our Prophet (saas):

"... HAZRAT MAHDI (AS) WILL APPEAR with the flag of the Messenger of Allah (saas), when people are widely afflicted AND WHEN ALL HOPE OF HIS COMING HAS BEEN LOST… (Ali Ibn Husamaddin al-Muttaki, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman, p. 55)

Like the Prophet Joseph (as), People Will Be Jealous of Hazrat Mahdi (as)

When they declared, “Why! Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are although we constitute a powerful group. Our father is clearly making a mistake. Kill Joseph or expel him to some land so that your father will look to you alone and then you can be people who do right.” (Surah Yusuf, 8-9)

Allah reveals that his brothers were very jealous of Joseph (as) and thus determined to kill him. They therefore set a trap for him and abandoned him to die at the bottom of a well. The verse also indicates how some people will be jealous of Hazrat Mahdi (as) in his time and will oppose him for that reason. It appears that because of their jealousy, these people will line up alongside those who strive against Hazrat Mahdi (as), and a trap will be set for him intended to neutralize him.

Like the Prophet Joseph (as), Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Suffer Injustice

Allah describes in the Qur’an how the Prophet Joseph (as) suffered injustice, with traps being set for him on many occasions. First, his brothers set a trap for him in an attempt to kill him, and then the wife of the governor with whom he was living issued slanders against the Prophet Joseph’s (as) chastity. Some verses on the subject read:

"Kill Joseph or expel him to some land..." (Surah Yusuf, 9)

One of them said, “Do not take Joseph’s life but throw him to the bottom of the well, so that some (caravan of) travellers may discover him, if this is something that you have to do." (Surah Yusuf, 10)

That night they (Joseph's brothers) came back to their father in tears, saying, “Father, we went out to run a race and left Joseph together with our things and then a wolf appeared and ate him up but you are never going to believe us now, not even though we really tell the truth." (Surah Yusuf, 16-17)

She said, “You see! It’s him you blamed me for. I tried seducing him but he refused. If he (Joseph) does not do what I order him, he will be put in prison and brought low." (Surah Yusuf, 32)

Then, after they had seen the signs [regarding Joseph’s chastity], they thought that they should still imprison him for a time. (Surah Yusuf, 35)

It appears from this information about the Prophet Joseph (as) given in the Qur’an that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will also suffer various injustices. The hadiths of our Prophet (saas) below also reveal that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will suffer injustice on various occasions:

We are such a household that, for us, Allah preferred the Hereafter over this world. After me, my Ahl al-Bayt (line) will surely be subjected to trouble, abduction and banishment. After me, my Ahl al-Bayt (line) will meet trouble and suffering, and be subjected to strokes. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 14)

… He [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] performs two rakaats of prayer. When he returns from the prayer he says: “People! The community of Muhammad and especially his Ahl al-Bayt have undergone many troubles and WE SUFFERED pain and WRONG…” (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir az-Zaman, p. 55)

Like the Prophet Joseph (as), Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Be Slandered and Plotted Against

Then, IT SEEMED GOOD TO THEM, AFTER THEY HAD SEEN THE SIGNS (REGARDING JOSOPH’S CHASTITY), THAT THEY SHOULD IMPRISON HIM for a time. (Surah Yusuf, 35)

It is revealed in the Qur’an that, despite very clear evidence of his innocence, the Prophet Joseph (as) was unfairly and deliberately depicted as guilty. This indicates that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will also be subjected to various false allegations, snares and conspiracies. Indeed, we are told in the hadiths of our Prophet (saas) that “Hazrat Mahdi (as) will suffer oppression, cruelty, wrongs and pressure in the society in which he lives.”

But because of their CRUELTY, WRONGS AND DISSIPATION due to their earthly desires, Allah will conceal him [Hazrat Mahdi(as)] from the people. (Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani, p. 162)

Like the Prophet Joseph (as), Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Also Be Plotted Against by Some Women, and a Woman Will Falsely Impute Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) Chastity

The woman whose house it was solicited him. She barred the doors and said, ‘Come over here!’ He (Joseph) said, ‘Allah is my refuge! He is My lord and has been good to me with where I live. Those who do wrong will surely not succeed. (Surah Yusuf, 23)

They raced to the door. She tore his shirt at the back. They met her husband by the door. She said, ‘How should a man whose intention was to harm your family be punished for what he did except with prison or painful punishment?’ He (Joseph) said, ‘It was she who tried to seduce me.’... (Surah Yusuf, 25-26)

Then, it seemed good to them, after they had seen the Signs (regarding Joseph’s chastity), that they should imprison him for a time. (Surah Yusuf, 35)

In the Qur’an, Allah reveals that the governor’s wife slandered the Prophet Joseph’s (as) chastity, even though she knew he was innocent. In order to reinforce that slander, the governor’s wife organized some of the women of the city to bear witness against him. It appears from these verses that a group of women will also conspire against Hazrat Mahdi (as) and that he will also be “falsely charged with a crime against a woman.” The Prophet Joseph (as) was imprisoned because of this conspiracy against him and spent many years in jail even though he was innocent. This indicates that even though he is also innocent, Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be unjustly imprisoned because of such lies and trumped up charges.

Like the Prophet Joseph (as), the Adminstration in the Time of Hazrat Mahdi (as) Will Also Be Sure of His Rectitude and Innocence; But the Desire to Imprison Him Will Prevail for Various Political Reasons

Then, it seemed good to them, after they had seen the Signs (regarding Joseph’s chastity), that they should imprison him for a time. (Surah Yusuf, 35)

The evidence of the Prophet Joseph’s (as) innocence was perfectly clear. But, for various political reasons, people in charge of the administration chose to fall in with the conspiracy against the Prophet Joseph (as), even though they clearly saw the evidence supporting him, and therefore condemned him. It would appear from this state of affairs regarding the Prophet Joseph (as) that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will also offer very strong evidence to defend himself and prove his innocence, but that people in charge of the administration will have him imprisoned for various political reasons, despite all this powerful evidence.

Like the Prophet Joseph (as), There Will Be A Time of Occultation (Prison) for Hazrat Mahdi (as)

But when, in fact, they did go out with him (Joseph) and gathered all together and agreed to put him at the bottom of the well, We then revealed to him that: ‘You will inform them of this deed they perpetrate at a time when they are totally unaware.’ (Surah Yusuf, 15)

... and so he (Joseph) stayed in prison for several years. (Surah Yusuf, 42)

Sudayr as-Sayraf says: I heard Imam Abu Abdullah Jaffar Sadik say: He said: "THE OWNER OF THIS TASK [HAZRAT MAHDI (AS)] WILL HAVE A RESEMBLENCE TO JOSEPH (AS)].” AND I SAID: “IT IS AS IF YOU ARE TELLING US OF AN OCCULTATION (prison) OR WONDER.”(Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Numani, al-Ghaybah al-Numani p. 189)

The Prophet Joseph (as) was first imprisoned in a well, and later in a dungeon for several years. The Prophet Joseph (as) disappeared from sight on two occasions, one short and the other long. In the first, Joseph (as) was abandoned in a well, and a passing caravan soon rescued him. In the second he was injustly thrown into prison, where he remained for a long time. But he was freed from prison when his innocence was realized. Like the Prophet Joseph (as), Hazrat Mahdi (as) will also be imprisoned at various times in his life. But, again like the Prophet Joseph (as), there will also be strong proof of his innocence.

His Dreaming of Eleven Stars and the Sun and Moon Prostrating Themselves before Him Indicates That the Islamic World Will Gather under the Spiritual Leadership of Hazrat Mahdi (as)

When Joseph told his father, ‘Father! I saw (in my dream) ELEVEN BRIGHT STARS, AND THE SUN AND MOON AS WELL. I saw them all prostrate in front of me.’ (Surah Yusuf, 4)

The Prophet Joseph (as) dreamed that the Stars, Sun and Moon prostrated themselves before him, and in later years Allah made the Prophet Joseph (as) the governor of Egypt. This also contains significant references to the life of Hazrat Mahdi (as). The flags of Islamic countries generally contain stars, the Sun and the Moon. It appearances from the signs regarding the Prophet Joseph (as) that Islamic countries will gather together and be united under the spiritual leadership of Hazrat Mahdi (as), and that Hazrat Mahdi (as) will thus be the spiritual leader of all Muslims.

Surah Yusuf Contains References to the Economic Crisis in the End Times

(One of Joseph’s fellow-prisoners said,) ‘O truthful Joseph, tell us of seven fat cows which seven thin ones ate and seven green ears of wheat and seven others which were dry so that I can return to them and let them know.’ He said, ‘Sow for seven years in the normal way and leave that which you harvest in the ear except for a small amount from which you eat (Surah Yusuf, 46-47)

Then after that seven hard years will arrive in which you can eat from what you set aside for them, except for a little which you store.

Then after that another year will come in which the people will be helped by rain in plenty and when they once more will press.’ (Surah Yusuf, 48-49)

It is revealed in the verses that the Prophet Joseph (as) was asked to interpret a dream had by the ruler of the time. The Prophet Joseph (as) said that the dream referred to “long-term economic difficulty.” The fact that our Prophet (saas) has also revealed that the life of Hazrat Mahdi (as) will contain similarities to that of Hazrat Mahdi (as) shows that, as in that time, there will be a severe economic crisis on earth in the period prior to the coming of Hazrat Mahdi (as). The economic difficulty referred to in the verse is in all probability the current glocal economic crisis. (Allah knows the truth.)

The Prophet Joseph’s (as) reference to “seven hard years” may also indicate the scarcity and economic troubles experienced in 2007 and 2008. (Allah knows he truth.) The Prophet Joseph (as) also interrpeted the cows and wheat in the dream, saying that the solution to the economic crisis that would take place in that time was for people to concentrate on agriculture. “Cows and wheat” are the two most important components of agriculture and animal husbandry. It would therefore seem from the Prophet Joseph’s (as) interpretation that “the solution to the economic crisis that will break out prior to the appearance of Hazrat Mahdi (as) will be for people to attach proper importance to agriculture and livestock raising.”

It appears from the signs in the verses that the economic crisis will occupy either a single or a repeated period.